“For myself, I want no advantage over my fellow man, and if he is weaker than I, all the more is it my duty to help him.” —Eugene V. Debs

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

things of the day

There's a white cat with brown patches on my lap. He thinks blogging is silly.

Yesterday, I borrowed a truck and hauled stuff we can't use, sell, or recycle to the city dump. The dump should be depressing—it's a lousy way to handle resources—but I like working outside and getting rid of things that are ugly and useless.

I took this test last night and didn't save the result, then thought I should post it in case it was useful for anyone, so I took it again this morning. Last night's score suggested I was a bit more depressed than this does:

I should try it again in a week or two. I think I'm becoming more accepting of my inability to change large things. I've been coming out of a long depression based on many things—capitalism in general, publishing in particular, well-intentioned people trapped by identity politics, my sister's death, the health needs of parents and friends, the awareness that I don't know what path my life will take next but it will change soon.

Counterfeit gold existsbecause there is such a thingas real gold.- Rumi

...Also Quran celebrate the diversity and affirm that this differences must never be a point of dispute or argument but should be seen as divinely fashioned.

To every community have We appointed [different] ways of devotion, which they ought to observe. Hence, do not let those draw you into disputes on this score, but summon unto your Sustainer: for, behold, you are indeed on the right way. - The Quran 22:67

To every one of you have We appointed a [different] law and way of life. And if God had so willed, He could surely have made you all one single community: but [He willed it otherwise] in order to test you by means of what He has vouchsafed unto you ... - 5:48

For, every community, faces a direction of its own, of which God is the focal point. - 2:148

That last, 2:148, suggests that making everyone pray to Jerusalem or Mecca is antiQuranic. I've heard the direction of prayer was suggested by Muhammad, but I wonder if it was a retcon by the Islamic equivalents of Constantine and his advisers. (See Qur'an: A Work of Multiple Hands?)

3 comments:

I seem to be going thru the same general sort of low-grade depression. It seems to be caused in large part by reaching an age where I look in the mirror and not only can't call myself young anymore, but can't even call myself middle-aged. I'm getting old, with all the attendant complications and problems: personal health concerns, health concerns with friends and family as well, losing some of those friends and family members, the sense that you're running out of time to fulfill those dreams and finish those projects you've always wanted to do, et cetera bloody cetera. Oh, and those damn kids on my lawn, too....

I've taken to calling this "the 'oldrums". Not sure how to deal with it, either.